The Weeknd to play Abu Dhabi F1 weekend

The first global musical megastar has been announced for this year's Abu Dhabi F1 extravaganza - and it already looks like it's going to be an amazing 'Weeknd'.

That's no typo, either, three-time Grammy Award winner The Weeknd will be revving up fans at the UAE's biggest entertainment spectacle of the year this November.

The Canadian hip-hop icon, who has racked up millions of record sales all over the globe and has already scored two number one albums during his smash hit career, 2015's Beauty Behind the Madness and Starboy, which dropped a year later, will be taking centre stage during the always star-studded Yasalam after-race concerts at ther Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The talented 28-year-old, known for crowd-pleasing tunes such as Love Me Harder, Earned It and Starboy, has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the industry during a stellar stint at the top, including Lana Del Ray, Drake, Daft Punk and Kendrick Lamar.

Tens of thousands of petrolheads flocked to du Arena last year to see superstar acts P!nk, Mumford & Sons, J Cole and Calvin Harris live in action after the thrilling wheel-to-wheel action on the track - and the 2018 line-up is already shaping up nicely.

The Weeknd's huge Abu Dhabi date was confirmed at a press conference held by Yas Marina Circuit and FLASH entertainment over the road at Dubai World Trade Centre this morning.

This year will mark the milestone 10th anniversary of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - now cemented as the fantastic finale to the F1 season - and organisers are clearly pulling out all the stops to make it bigger and better than ever.

The big race itself will take place on Sunday, November 25, with the four-day Yasalam concert series getting out of the blocks on Thursday, November 23.

Motoring and music enthusiasts can bag a 30 percent discount on tickets for the F1 bonanza - which include access to the massive gigs as well as the racing action - if they book their seat before May 31.

For the first time ever, a Super Parks Pass will be on sale, which will include access to Yas Waterworld, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and the soon-to-launch Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi alongside tickets for the racing itself.

Al Tareq Al Ameri, CEO of Yas Marina Circuit, said: “We are excited to announce the first globally renowned headline artist who will perform at this year’s Yasalam After-Race Concerts as part of the 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix race weekend.

“The four full days of entertainment for ticket holders is an important element of our holistic offering that helps drive our 60 per cent international visitation.

“With Early Bird tickets, Golden Circle and ‘Super Parks Pass’ upgrade packages available, race fans have a wide array of choices and I would urge people to purchase sooner rather than later so they can fully plan yet another sensational weekend of action both on and off the track.”

John Lickrish, Flash Entertainment CEO, said: “The Yasalam After-Race Concerts have brought the biggest and best acts from across the globe to the Abu Dhabi stage time and time again, and marking our tenth year makes the 2018 line-up extra special.”

Using the theme of ‘Swipe Up’, Yas Marina Circuit will this year give fans the opportunity to buying tickets in preferred seats in one of five available grandstands when buying online.

The F1 weekend might still be seven months away - but we are already geared for a show to remember.

Tickets are available online at www.yasmarinacircuit.com and through the Yas Marina Circuit Call Centre (800 927) or (02 659 9800), as well as through all Etihad Shops and Virgin Megastores, Yas Central Express stand at Yas Mall.